EU launches fresh legal action against UK over Brexit row

EU launches fresh legal action against UK over Brexit row
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 22/07/2022

- 11:52

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:48

The European Union has launched fresh legal action against the UK for failing to comply with the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol

Four new infringement procedures have been triggered by the European Commission.

The EU argued it was forced to act because the UK has been unwilling to take part in “meaningful discussion” over the Protocol since February.


It also struck out again at the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, currently making its way through Parliament.

The Commission accused the UK of failing to comply with customs requirements and not imposing EU rules on VAT for e-commerce.

In a statement, the European Commission said: “Despite repeated calls by the European Parliament, the 27 EU Member States and the European Commission to implement the Protocol, the UK Government has failed to do so.

“In a spirit of constructive cooperation, the Commission refrained from launching certain infringement procedures for over a year to create the space to look for joint solutions with the UK.

“However, the UK’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussion since last February and the continued passage of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill through the UK Parliament go directly against this spirit.”

The latest action comes on top of the infringement procedures launched on June 15.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Henry Nicholls

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